Vibrator.



E. P. RUDOLPH.

VIBRATOR.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. 2o, 1913.

1,088,242. I Patented Feb.24,1914.

' Evin/0f' @6MM WWW/@ @QL/mw( @M QW M. Tf- @y e? EDWARD P. RUDOLPH, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

VIBRATOR.

rosas-ia Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 24, 1914.

Application filed February 20, 1913. Serial No. 749,642.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, EDWARD P. RUDOLPH, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Vibrators, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates to an improved massage vibrator adapted to be operated by a water motor of suitable design.

The novelty of my device rests principally in the vibrating mechanism and the construction and arrangement of the parts, which are so made and connected that a very efficient portable vibrating apparatus is provided which is simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture.

To the accomplishment of these and related ends said invent-ion, then consists of the means hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing z-Figure 1 is a side elevation partly in sect-ion of my vibrator but without the vibrating instrument or the handle; Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of my vibrator partially in section; Fig. 3 is a detailed perspective view of the cam and follower shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the guard shown in Figs. 1 and 2; and Fig. 5 is a View similar to that in Fig. 3 but showing a modified form of the cam there shown.

In Fig. 1, the main casing is shown consisting of a cup shapedmember 1 having an extension 2 on its face and a cover 3 with a similar extension 4. This cover engages the cup shaped casing 1 by the threading 5 and is easily removable permitting.

inspection and repairs of the motor wheel 6 which is fixedly mounted on the shaft 7 journaled in the two extensions 2 and 4 which are disposed concentrically with respect to the periphery of the casing. The screw 8 keys the water wheel 6 to the shaft.

The shaft 7 terminates at one extremity in the truncated cylindrical cam 9 which may be of various forms but is preferably of the type shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The cam 9 is adapted to actuate the member 10 comprising a disk 11 having a circular groove 12 on its` inner face adapted to retain a ball 13 which acts as a follower for the cam 9. By reason of its construction and freedom of movement in the groove 12, the action of the cam and ball is free from binding, noise or excessive friction, all important points in the construction of a device of this kind which must be kept as silent as possible and must be operated by a small water motor under only a moderate head of water.

rIhe member 10 is housed in an extension chamber 14 which engages the extension 4 by the threads 15 admitting of easy access to the moving parts. The extension casing 14 is so proportioned and attached that the disk 11 is a predetermined distance from the head of the casing. This distance is not great enough to allow the ball to leave the groove when the cam is not forcing the disk outward and is still sufficient to allow a short distance for the member 10 to be reciprocated. A vibratory instrument of suitable form will of course be attached to theexterna-l end of the member 10, and the pressure which the operator will exert in keeping this instrument, or applicator as it is generally known, against the part undergoing treatment will be sufficient to return the disk and ball to its inner position in contact with the cam. I could of course provide a spring for this purpose but in that case the motor would always be operating the disk even when the fan 16 attached to the end of the shaft'7 was in operation causing a waste vof power.

The fan 16 is of the usual construction and engages the threaded end of the shaft 7. A handle 17 for the device is adapted to engage theexteriorly threaded extension 2 and is provided with two holes 18 into which the two depending wires 19 on the fan guard 20 can engage, thus providing a safe-guard against catching of the fan on clothing etc.

Integral with the casing and extending from it are the two water pipes 21 and 22, the former being the smaller and serving as the inlet pipe, and the latter being the discharge pipe. Flexible tubing will be attached to these pipes leading to the source of supply and the discharge receptacle. It

will be seen that the inlet pipe 2l contracts into a nozzle 23 of small cross section thus increasing the velocity of the jet as it strikes the Water Wheel. By the use of the nozzle the Watercan be directed squarely at the blades and no Water is lost from running into the discharge pipe before it has actuated the Wheel.

What I particularly desire to point out as new in this device are the vibrating means already described and the ready accessibility of all moving parts which is secured by the threaded covers and caps. This latter feature permits frequent cleaning and oiling of the moving` parts and with the simple and effective means of vibration renders my device smooth running, comparatively silent `and long-lived.

It will, of course, be understood that the cam 9 and coperation disk 1l may be intei-changed; that is, it is a matter of indifference Whether the cam be on the end of shaft 7 or of member 10, the disk being of course attached to the end of the opposed shaft, as the case may be. y

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the'one explained change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention zl. In massage apparatus, the combination of a reciprocably mounted applicator member; a disk attachedto one end of said applicator member; a. cam rotatably mounted to produce reciprocation of said member; means adapted to rotate said cam; and rotatable thrust-transmitting means interposed between said cam and said applicator member.

2. In massage apparatus, the combination of a. reciprocably mounted shaft bearing an applicator at one end; a. disk provided with aI groove attached to the other end of said shaft; a cam rotatably mounted to produce reciprocation of said shaft; means adapted to rotate said cam; and aball loosely mounted in such groove in saiddisk and adapted to transmit the thrust from said cam to said shaft.

3. In massage apparatus, the combination of a reciproeably mounted shaft bearing an applicator at one end; a disk provided with a groove attached to the other end of said sha-ft; a second shaft rotatably mounted in substantial alinement With said first-named shaft; a cylindrical cam attached to said second shaft; and a ball loosely mounted in such groove in said disk and adapted to transmit the thrust fromr said cam to said shaft.

Signed by me this 18th day of February,

EDIVARD P. RUDOLPH. Attested by- D. T. DAVIES, J No. F. OnnLrN.

yCopie! of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

